“She asked for Alice…”
“Then send Alice,” Xander interrupted. “She’s more than capable of protecting Kyra and they’re friends. It’s a win win situation.”
“Alice is currently hunting down a serial killer with Spook Squad and opening another division in Manchester.”
Xander narrowed his eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she knows she’s a shit friend with shit priorities.”
“Careful Xee,” Riley warned.
Xander added weight to the bar, setting himself back down on the bench. “You know I can’t stand her, and you know my history with her kind.”
“I’m aware, you make it clear every time she’s mentioned in conversation.”
“Then why me? Ask Titus or something.” Xander went to lift when Riley suddenly gripped the bar, his fingers leaving dents in the metal. “Fuck sake,” he growled, releasing the weight and slipping off the bench. “He can babysit the witch, I have more important things to do. Like wash my hair.”
“Stop being an arsehole. Kyra’s helped us in more than one situation when asked and deserves our help now. I've chosen you as my second because you’re the most steady of us all.”
“Then un-choose me.” Kyra was this suspiciously composed energy that his beast was drawn to, like the calm before the storm. He hated that she made him look, made him crave someone he didn’t trust.
Riley smirked, the smile pissing him off even more. “Remember to take Kace with you.”
Chapter11
Kyra
“Double check it,” Frederick said. “We don’t want to make the same mistake again.”
Adeline nodded, clapping her hands together with a loud slap. “Kyra, check the lines against the drawing while everyone else gets into position. Make sure all the candles are properly lit, and there’s enough wick to last.”
“Yes, High Priestess.”
The new summoning circle was impressive, larger than the previous design and taking up the entire room. Just as before, there was an inverted pentagram, a star within a circle in the centre. The top two points were the flow points, but the new design had the circles covering the whole spike rather than just connecting to the tip. Each spike had its own circle bubble that overlapped slightly, creating a floral design. A dangerous flower with five petals.
It created little spaces where the singular candles were placed, each representing the newer elements.
Kyra stepped into the centre, slowly spinning to make sure each carefully created line was correct. Salt granules had been teased onto the strokes, adding an extra protection that they all needed. Beside Spirit, in the overlapped circle stood the first lone candle, one that represented Shadow, the element that was a blend of both Earth and Spirit.
Cassandra stood for the first anchor, Earth. She held her candle, the wick already lit as she stood and waited with surprising patience. Directly beside her was the element Ore, the candle’s flame dancing strong.
Water was the first flow element, and with no Faye, Frederick stepped up in to the circle. His candle was dark, but with a quick flick of his wrist and a smirk it burst into life. Beside him, and in the circles overlap stood the candle for Ice.
“How’s it looking?” Adeline asked as she stepped into Air, the second flow element. Her candle too was unlit, until she quickly clicked her fingers. Thunder stood to her left, the element that was the blend of both Fire and Air.
Fire was next and the last anchor. Saul watched with quiet determination as Kyra checked his lines. Beside him, in the overlap stood the candle for Light.
“Kyra?” Adeline asked again. “Answer me.”
Lastly there was Spirit, the element Kyra represented. Reaching over to Shadow she lit her candle, stepping inside the safety of her little circle. “We’re ready,” she said, ignoring the sense of dread that had only grown since she had first set her eyes on the design.
“Then quicken the flame,” Frederick commanded. “And let’s do this.”
It was Bane who stepped forward with a sharp blade, his face hard when he reached over to slice the tip of her finger. The blood pooled quickly, but he stopped her from closing the circle.
“Sacrifice it,” Frederick said. “And toss it into the centre, maybe this Daemon would appreciate a fresher kill.”
Bane nodded, so deep it was almost a bow. He produced a bird, small and delicate with beautiful pale feathers. With the same blade Kyra had been cut he sliced open the innocent bird’s chest. With a few flaps of its wing it collapsed, landing in the centre with a sickening thud when Bane tossed it.
Kyra closed her eyes, trying to ignore the sounds as the bird died. She concentrated on the wax that burned her skin, savouring the pain.
